When Raeya looked up, her eyes widened. Her breath caught in her throat.
"Ches...?!"
The name left her lips in a whisper before it turned into a panicked scream.
"CHESSSSS!!!"
The boy was sitting on the rooftop of an empty house, staring blankly into the distance—as if he hadn't heard her screaming at all.
Raeya's heart dropped into her stomach.
"Ches, don't sit there! How did you even get up?! Come down—it's dangerous!"
But the moment she took a step to run and get help, she hesitated. Her feet froze. Her chest tightened.
What if something happens while I'm gone? Like earlier... I only looked away for a second—
Her gaze returned to the rooftop, her body trembling. The panic in her chest was rising fast, suffocating her from the inside.
At last, she shouted with all her strength,
"HELP! SOMEBODY, PLEASE HELP! THERE'S A CHILD TRAPPED ON THE ROOFTOP!"
Her voice echoed through the narrow streets, drawing curious neighbors out of their homes.
"What's going on, sweetheart?"
"There—there's a boy on the rooftop... he's stuck!" Raeya said breathlessly, pointing wildly.
"Where? Which house?" a man asked, eyes scanning the row of rooftops.
Raeya turned quickly and pointed. "Right there! He's—"
But as she looked up...
Nothing.
The rooftop was empty.
"H-huh...?" Raeya murmured, her voice shaking. Her eyes didn't believe what they saw.
"There's no one up there, kid," one of the neighbors said.
"No... but—he was just there! I swear I saw him!"
Some of the people began whispering to one another, exchanging glances.
"Must be some prank... I was in the middle of cooking..."
Raeya heard every word. She bit her lip, tears stinging her eyes.
"Don't joke about things like this, dear," someone else added gently but firmly. "Next time people might not believe you when it matters."
"But I—"
"It's fine. No one's there. Let's go."
One by one, they walked away.
Raeya stood frozen in place, leaning against the wall. Her tears began to fall—silent, helpless.
"I wasn't lying... He really was there... Ches was really up there..."
In the middle of her sobbing, footsteps echoed nearby. From the shadows behind the wall, Ches emerged, his face blank as ever.
"Crybaby," he said coldly. "Weak."
Raeya flinched, hastily wiping her tears away, though she was still sniffling.
"This is your fault! All of this is because of you! I looked everywhere for you, and then suddenly you were on the rooftop! I told you not to wander off!"
Her voice cracked as fresh tears streamed down her cheeks.
Ches frowned slightly, confused.
"Why are you crying? Why do you care what happens to me?"
Raeya glared at him through her tears.
"Because you're like a little brother to me!"
"I'm not your brother," he replied sharply. "Don't say that. We're not family."
Raeya's voice broke. "You're such a jerk!"
"You're the one who's weak. We just met, and you're already calling me your little brother."
Raeya couldn't hold back anymore. Her sobs exploded out of her.
"Huwaaa!! You're so mean! I care about you, okay?! I looked everywhere for you!"
Ches let out a frustrated sigh and turned as if to walk away. But her sobbing didn't stop—it echoed behind him, relentless and raw.
He stopped.
Then, with a scowl, he turned back and marched toward her.
"Hey! Stop crying! It's annoying!"
Raeya didn't answer.
"Stop! Crying doesn't solve anything! It just makes you look pathetic!"
Ches wanted to leave. He really did. But something in his chest... wouldn't let him.
Finally, he reached out and grabbed her hand.
"Come on. Let's go home. Don't make me look like the villain here."
Raeya looked up at him, then slowly stood. They walked side by side, her small hand in his.
The black cat followed quietly behind them, its steps calm and unhurried.
༶•┈┈⛧┈♛
When they arrived at the apartment, Raeya sat on the couch. Her face was still puffy from crying, but the tears had stopped. They sat far apart.
"You know what? You're really whiny and annoying," Ches muttered.
"What?! You're the annoying one!" Raeya shot back.
Ches glanced at her, still confused by how much she seemed to care.
"You said earlier that crying is useless. I used to think that too. But Auntie Lily told me… sometimes we need to cry. It helps clear our hearts and our minds. If you keep everything bottled up, it just builds more stress."
"Still pointless. No matter what you say, I'm not going to agree."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Raeya mumbled.
"Oh, by the way—how did you get down from the roof? That was really high!"
"That's none of your business," Ches replied coldly.
"What?! Are you hurt?"
"No! And stop acting so annoying!"
"I was just worried about you!"
Ches let out a long sigh, his gaze sharp.
"You don't get it… life is way scarier than you think. Crying like that? It only makes you weak. And if you're weak… you lose. You could even die."
Raeya looked at him, horrified but also concerned. "Oh my god... you're just a kid, but you talk like that?"
"I'm just telling the truth. You're too naïve. And being naïve gets you hurt."
Raeya fell silent for a moment, then whispered softly, "But… there's nothing wrong with me caring about you, Ches. Even if we're not family… right now, you're the closest person to me."
"We just met," Ches said sharply.
"That's exactly why we should get closer," Raeya smiled. "Auntie Lily once told me, even if you're not related by blood, you can still care about each other."
Ches turned his face away. "I still don't get it."
"That's okay. One day you will. Oh, and next time you go out, tell me first, okay? So I won't panic like earlier."
Ches didn't answer—he just stared at her.
"By the way… you haven't showered since last night, you know? I went to the neighbor's place earlier to borrow some clothes for you. And guess what, Auntie next door and her daughter Silan gave me some! Silan said she wants to play with you too!"
Ches narrowed his eyes. "Do you think I'm a little kid?"
"You are a little kid! Don't try to act all grown-up! Just enjoy being a kid while you can!"
"I… whatever," he grumbled.
Raeya chuckled softly. "Oh, by the way… where's your home, Ches? I forgot to ask."
Ches went quiet. For a long time. Then he said softly, "If I told you I don't have a home… would you believe me?"
"WHAT?!" Raeya almost jumped from her seat.
"Ehem… your family, then?"
Ches didn't reply.
Raeya quickly added, "Sorry if I asked something I shouldn't have. But if you ever feel like talking… I'll be here to listen."
She stood up. "Come on, time to shower. I'll get your clothes ready, okay?